SAHM Survival Tips

[Beccarollover]

Looks like I may be becoming a SAHM to DD 4 and DS 10 months.

Top tips?

Dos and Donts?

I need an apple pie recipes as I romanticise about that smell wafting about the house while I comb through my daughters hair and rock the adoring baby on my knee....

I made the homepage :D

Now.....does anyone have any thoughts on the new agreement I have come up with with work?

absolutely right expatkat

As I was belting out the theme tune to Thunderbirds down a giant cardboard tube for the fourth time this morning I tried to erase thoughts of other things I would rather be doing.
Then the kids came home. (not really)

Sorry not to be able to give any comment on your contract BR, I have never been in that situation

suzywong

My top tips in addition to what's been said already...

Take up a hobby of some kind. DIY or sewing, or study or growing veg - whatever you like that is relaxing but not pressured. This will help prevent you feeling unstimulated mentally.

Get a digital radio. The amazing clarity of reception and huge choice will stop the temptation to turn on the telly. You can take it into the garden or any room of the house, it's brilliant.

Agree with just about everything that's been said (and I say this from the authority of a SAHM of 8 yrs standing )(returning to work v soon....gulp)

But my 2 top tips (of the minor variety) are:
1 - after lunch award yourself 30 mins reading the newspaper, the children soon realise that this time is "yours" and go off to play happily.

2 - if you are not a housework freak aim to keep the hall way/whatever part of the house is visible from the front door pristine, so if anyone unexpectedly calls you appear the perfect housewife - unless they warrant being invited in, in which case your (well, certainly mine) cover is blown!

I think the most important "big" tip is to find lots of like minded friends - absolute lifesaver imo.

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I work now but was a SAHM for 5 years.

Get out of the house with a fairly regular routine. Kids will enjoy it, and you will avoid going stir crazy.

Second the motion about going to the library. See if you have a local toy library as these are also great.

Find out if the local indoor play places do a M & T discount time, cheaper for you, and company too.

Take them for 'coffee and a biscuit' when you go shopping at Tescos etc! My kids loved the excitement of a biscuit in a cafe, and it is nice to have a cuppa made by someone else!

Have a stock of sticker books, colouring in stuff for when you need 10 minutes peace and quiet.

If you have NT properies near you with nice parkland look into getting a family ticket, pays for itself after about 4 visits.

Deff get the kids in bed by 7, this kept me sane, especialy since dh was away for months at a time so I was 'solo' SAHM for half of the time.